A recent survey found that 78% of Americans believe or are not sure about at least one piece of misinformation about COVID, such as the (very) incorrect ideas that the vaccines cause infertility or that the government is hiding deaths from the vaccines. It’s so important to continue to counter this kind of misinformation! (November 23, 2021)
Category: Misinformation 101
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Misinformer Tactic: The Galileo Gambit
We STAN science icon Galileo Galilei!
But just because you have a different opinion than everyone else, doesn’t make you right.
We present the Galileo Gambit. Misinformers love to compare themselves to Galileo, who was famously persecuted because he said the earth orbits around the sun and not the other way around.
They would have you believe that, because their ideas go against the establishment, or risk their job, their credibility, or their safety, then they must be right.
The logic goes like this:
- Galileo was persecuted and was correct.
- I feel persecuted.
- Conclusion: I am correct.
Let’s use the same logic on something else to help spot the flaw.
- Steve is tall and wears blue socks.
- I am tall.
- Conclusion: I wear blue socks??
Clearly that’s not good reasoning. Tall people wear all sorts of different socks!
For every Galileo (who, by the way, had rigorous scientific EVIDENCE for his claims) there are a thousands of Steves* who got it wrong.
Remember this next time a supposed expert makes claims that go against the grain. Before you share, stop and think, “Is this accurate?”
*no disrespect to any Steves out there!
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We STAN science icon Galileo Galilei!
But just because you have a different opinion than everyone else, doesn’t make you right.Presenting: The Galileo Gambit. This tactic assumes that something is correct BECAUSE everyone says it’s wrong.
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#ScienceUpFirst pic.twitter.com/Kh90Nw68sE— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienceD’abord (@ScienceUpFirst) October 21, 2021
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Take a break from the noise!
We live in a very chaotic information environment! While it is important to use credible sources to stay informed, it is also important to avoid information overload. A new study found that in “a pandemic such as Covid-19 news consumers need to be informed, but avoiding news is sometimes necessary to stay mentally healthy.” (October 21, 2021)
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Avoid the doom-scrolling!
Researchers found that just two to four minutes of COVID related news scrolling “led to immediate and significant reductions in positive affect and optimism.” Remember to occasionally put down the phone! (October 21, 2021)
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Look out for Narrative tropes & rhetoric
Let’s face it, misinformation is good at getting under your skin.
That’s why we’ve put together some of the most common tropes used against vaccination, and explanations on why they’re false.
Knowing these tropes before you see them helps stop misinformation in its tracks!
Share this post to stop misinformation. ✋
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Have you seen any of these tropes online? Misinformers often rely on the same narratives against vaccination. Check out this thread to see what they are, and why they’re wrong!#ScienceUpFirst
[1/6] pic.twitter.com/0zjxLoNvyN
— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienceD’abord (@ScienceUpFirst) October 14, 2021
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View this post on InstagramSources- What works best: Objective statistics or a personal testimonial? An assessment of the persuasive effects of different types of message evidence on risk perception.
- Using Drama to Persuade
- Self-Referencing and Persuasion: Narrative Transportation versus Analytical Elaboration
- Development of a Codebook of Online Anti-Vaccination Rhetoric to Manage COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation
- The Global Economy: on Track for Strong but Uneven Growth as COVID-19 Still Weighs
- For Some Anti-Vaccine Advocates, Misinformation Is Part Of A Business
- Coronavirus: Bill Gates ‘microchip’ conspiracy theory and other vaccine claims fact-checked
- Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
- Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19
- Community-level evidence for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protection of unvaccinated individuals
- Vaccines work: Case counts of 6 vaccine-preventable diseases before and after routine vaccination
- Estimating the health impact of vaccination against ten pathogens in 98 low-income and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2030: a modelling study
- Pfizer submits preliminary data to Health Canada for kids’ COVID-19 vaccine
- Anger increases susceptibility to misinformation
- Does Debunking Work? Correcting COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media
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Social media is a BIG part of the problem
Studies have consistently found that social media is a major force driving the spread of misinformation. A new study adds to the growing body of literature finding that 85% of COVID misinformation was produced on social media, with Facebook being the biggest source (67%). The study also found that the United States, India and Brazil are the countries most impacted by misinformation. (September 28, 2021)
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Misinformation spreads fast and far
An oft-cited study from 2018 found that misinformation travels “farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than the truth” – in part, because lies are often more interesting than facts. A more recent analysis came to a similar conclusion, finding that misinformation on Facebook got six times more “likes, shares, and interactions on the platform as did trustworthy news sources.” (September 28, 2021)
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When it comes to misinformation, don’t trust your gut
People who rely on intuition to make decisions are more likely to believe and spread misinformation. But those with “higher analytic thinking levels were less likely to rate COVID-19 misinformation as accurate and were less likely to be willing to share COVID-19 misinformation.” So, remember to pause and apply a bit of critical thinking! (September 28, 2021)
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Our Favourite Books
Whatcha reading?
In honour of #SciLit week, our team is sharing their book (non-fiction & fiction) recommendations.
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Looking for a good book?
— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienceD'abord (@ScienceUpFirst) September 23, 2021
Our team has put together a list of some of our favourites in honour of #SciLit week.
Let us know your recommendations!#ScienceUpFirst
[1/9] pic.twitter.com/0me8ZX4d9mView our original Instagram Post!
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8 tips on how to Google like a pro!
Want to level up your Googling?
Google is an amazingly powerful tool if used correctly. Check out these helpful shortcuts and get the information you are looking for!
This post was inspired by a twitter thread by Chris Hladczuk: https://tinyurl.com/SUFgoogling
Check it out!
Share our original Tweet!
Want to level up your Googling?
— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienceD'abord (@ScienceUpFirst) September 21, 2021
Check out these helpful shortcuts for getting the information you are looking for!
This thread was inspired by @chrishlad:https://t.co/MdF9px5eJd#ScienceUpFirst #SciLit
[1/8] pic.twitter.com/3jjYAdtz2uView our original Instagram Post!
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What are you taking?
Raise your hand if the past year and half has been tough!
Though it’s been a struggle there are lessons learned that we want to bring with us. We want to know…
What are you taking from the last year and a half? What are you leaving behind?
Follow along as we share how we will #TakeScience as we safely return to the activities we love.
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People value efforts to counter misinformation
A study of how the public perceives online corrections of misinformation found that most people broadly endorse and appreciate the practice. Indeed, the majority report not only liking corrections on social media, but see it “as a public responsibility.” This is good news for those countering misinformation – your work is appreciated! (July 26, 2021)
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Nudging people to pause and think about accuracy can help
Numerous studies suggest that getting people to pause before they share online material might slow the spread of misinformation. Most people want to be accurate. But, as a recent study found, “people often share misinformation because their attention is focused on factors other than accuracy.” Finding ways to shift attention to accuracy can increase the “quality of news that people subsequently share.” Indeed, there seems to be a range of accuracy prompts that may be effective in this context. (July 26, 2021)
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Yes, Debunking Works!
The body of evidence highlighting the value of debunking continues to grow. One recent study found that debunking misinformation online “improved subsequent truth discernment more than providing the same information during (labeling) or before (prebunking) exposure.” Another study also concluded that countering misinformation is effective, particularly if content that is easily sharable on social media and promotes credible facts are utilized. (July 26, 2021)